Fall 2005 Shared Practices Conference

Technology was the focus of Southwestern Community College's Fall 2005 Shared Practices Conference held Aug.15 - 17 for all the college's employees.

Addressing the college via a video presentation, SCC president Dr. Cecil Groves opened the conference, noting the appropriateness of the focus on technology. He stated that SCC is a leader in the field and cited as an example the college's role in the formation of Balsam West Fiber NET that ensured the college's position at the forefront of a $10 million high-speed fiber optic infrastructure for Western North Carolina.

He brought good news in announcing that the college's GEAR Up program has been awarded a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to be shared with public schools in the college's service area.

Groves went on to praise the college's employees for their part in these and other advances at the college. He also noted that the presenters for the fall conference were primarily SCC employees. "We are very fortunate to have very gifted and talented people to lead these sessions," he said and closed by thanking the staff and instructors for their dedication and service.

A group of Southwestern Community College instructors and staff members discuss the use of technology in the classroom during the recent Shared Practices Conference at the college. (click photo to enlarge)

Following the opening meeting, instructors and staff members participated in 23 sessions featuring technology-enhanced teaching and learning tools and resources. Presentations included: Audio/Video Clip Applications; BlackBoard Discussion Board and the Virtual Classroom; Customer Service in the Electronic Age; Shared Practices for Technology Enhanced Teaching; Basic Image Correction with Photoshop; ITV Using Tandberg; Web-Enhancement Made Easy; Excel Tools for the Classroom; Plagiarism Prevention with Turnitin.com; Online Library Resources; Bloodborne Pathogens Training; CIS in a SNAP; math with EDUCO; Virtual Tutoring and Smarthinking; and The Learning College.

The conference continued on Tuesday with division meetings, departmental meetings, a presentation on general education outcomes, and a faculty senate meeting.

Wednesday focused on new student orientation geared to providing students with information, advising, and campus tours while also taking them through the process of registration.

Both SCC employees and students also enjoyed time for socializing during the conference. At the end of the first day, faculty and staff participated in a bowling tournament at Thunder Lanes in Sylva. On Wednesday, students were invited to a sundae social hosted by the SCC Student Leadership Association.

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